While the popularity of teasers and parlays has grown over the past several years, NFL bettors still predominantly bet on the spread when placing a wager.
With more and more sportsbooks offering live, in-game odds in addition to both 1st and 2nd half lines, bettors have more options than ever.
But is there any value betting on these NFL halftime lines?
For those of you who are unfamiliar with halftime betting, many sportsbooks will post odds for the 2nd half of games once they?ve approached the half. This creates a unique betting opportunity for a number of reasons, starting with the fact that you have only around 15 minutes to handicap each game and shop for the best line. It also creates potential surebet or arbitrage opportunities.
For example, let?s say the New York Jets are 14-point underdogs against the New England Patriots but enter halftime with a 14-7 lead. A sportsbook could then post a 2nd half line in which the Pats are 10-point favorites. A bettor could sit back and ride out their current bet ? not a bad idea considering you would have a 21-point cushion to work with. However, a risk-adverse bettor could set up a low-risk situation by placing a bet that runs in direct contrast with their original bet.
If that bettor took New England -10 for the 2nd half, they would guarantee that at least one of their bets will win. If New England outscores New York by more than 21 points in the 2nd half, that bettor would win their halftime bet but lose the bet on the game ? risking the vig or juice on the bet. If New York either maintains their lead or is outscored by 9 or less, the bettor would win their wager on the game but lose their 2nd half bet. However, if New York is outscored by between 11 and 20 in the 2nd half, that bettor would win both of their bets.
Also known as hedging, placing bets on the opposite side after you have already placed a wager on one side can be used to either cut your losses, or guarantee a profit. Many bettors will want to let their bet ride when it?s looking like an easy winner at halftime. Others know that football is an unpredictable game and will try to minimize risk. Either way, it?s important to figure out whether or not your potential halftime hedge falls between key numbers.
If you?ve already bet Team A at +11 for the game and have the option to take their opponent at an adjusted +3 for the 2nd half, you have created a 14-point middle. This covers key numbers like 3, 7, 10 and 14 and would certainly be worth considering. If your middling opportunity is between 3.5 and 6.5, there is a reduced chance of hitting your middle since it does not contain any common point differentials.
Will you try to middle NFL halftime lines or would you prefer to ride out your bet when it performs well in the 1st half? Do you like betting halftime lines immediately when they are released, or do you wait until the sharps pick a side?
With more and more sportsbooks offering live, in-game odds in addition to both 1st and 2nd half lines, bettors have more options than ever.
But is there any value betting on these NFL halftime lines?
For those of you who are unfamiliar with halftime betting, many sportsbooks will post odds for the 2nd half of games once they?ve approached the half. This creates a unique betting opportunity for a number of reasons, starting with the fact that you have only around 15 minutes to handicap each game and shop for the best line. It also creates potential surebet or arbitrage opportunities.
For example, let?s say the New York Jets are 14-point underdogs against the New England Patriots but enter halftime with a 14-7 lead. A sportsbook could then post a 2nd half line in which the Pats are 10-point favorites. A bettor could sit back and ride out their current bet ? not a bad idea considering you would have a 21-point cushion to work with. However, a risk-adverse bettor could set up a low-risk situation by placing a bet that runs in direct contrast with their original bet.
If that bettor took New England -10 for the 2nd half, they would guarantee that at least one of their bets will win. If New England outscores New York by more than 21 points in the 2nd half, that bettor would win their halftime bet but lose the bet on the game ? risking the vig or juice on the bet. If New York either maintains their lead or is outscored by 9 or less, the bettor would win their wager on the game but lose their 2nd half bet. However, if New York is outscored by between 11 and 20 in the 2nd half, that bettor would win both of their bets.
Also known as hedging, placing bets on the opposite side after you have already placed a wager on one side can be used to either cut your losses, or guarantee a profit. Many bettors will want to let their bet ride when it?s looking like an easy winner at halftime. Others know that football is an unpredictable game and will try to minimize risk. Either way, it?s important to figure out whether or not your potential halftime hedge falls between key numbers.
If you?ve already bet Team A at +11 for the game and have the option to take their opponent at an adjusted +3 for the 2nd half, you have created a 14-point middle. This covers key numbers like 3, 7, 10 and 14 and would certainly be worth considering. If your middling opportunity is between 3.5 and 6.5, there is a reduced chance of hitting your middle since it does not contain any common point differentials.
Will you try to middle NFL halftime lines or would you prefer to ride out your bet when it performs well in the 1st half? Do you like betting halftime lines immediately when they are released, or do you wait until the sharps pick a side?
